The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi sits in the heart of the air-cooled Volkswagen bus era, valued for its simple engineering, utility-focused character, and unmistakable profile. Whether kept as a workhorse-style transporter or preserved as a collector van, tire choice plays a big role in how the vehicle looks and feels on the road. This Kombi uses a 185R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim, which keeps the fitment decision straightforward. Available choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall treatments from brands such as Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. The real decision is choosing the tire presentation and product details that best suit your van's condition, appearance goals, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi uses one primary tire size: 185R14. It is a radial fitment on a 14-inch rim, and the covered Base & Delivery Van sub-models share that same size. That means the main choice is not between multiple primary fitments, but between available tire brands, sidewall appearance, and the product details that best match your wheels and how the van will be used.
185R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size code and is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi, this size is available in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. Choosing within 185R14 comes down to matching the tire's appearance, rim-width compatibility, and overall product character to your specific wheel setup and restoration goals.
Tire fitment for the covered 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi sub-models is straightforward because they share the same primary size. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main selection work centers on the tire style and product details within 185R14 rather than on multiple fitment sizes.
1
1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi Base & Delivery Van
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi Base & Delivery Van uses the tire sizes shown below. Confirm the wheel diameter and intended use before choosing a product.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi Tires for Sale
Available 185R14 options for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi include Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein radials in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. The product grid is where to compare tire series, rim-width ranges, weight, and load-related details within this one correct primary size.
Owners of a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi usually need clear answers on 185R14 sizing, 14-inch rim fitment, brand and sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era Volkswagen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi?
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi uses a 185R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this vehicle, and the covered Base & Delivery Van sub-models use the same size, which simplifies the search compared with vehicles that changed tire sizes by trim or package.
The practical next step is confirming that the van still has the correct 14-inch wheels and that wheel width falls within the range supported by the tire you are considering. On an older Volkswagen, aftermarket wheels or long-ago modifications can matter just as much as the original size designation.
What size rim does a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi use?
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi uses a 14-inch rim with its 185R14 tire size. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, since the final number in 185R14 refers to the rim diameter in inches for this Euro-metric radial fitment.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width should also be checked before choosing a specific tire. Available 185R14 products support slightly different width ranges, and that can influence which option makes the most sense for a stock wheel or a changed wheel setup.
Do all 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi Base & Delivery Van sub-models use the same 185R14 radial tire size. There is no split here between multiple primary sizes, so the fitment question is more straightforward than it is on many classic vehicles.
That consistency means the decision usually shifts from size selection to tire presentation and wheel compatibility. Once the van's 14-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the buyer can focus on details such as blackwall versus narrow whitewall, tire series, and whether the selected tire matches the intended look and use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R14 tire for a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi?
Start with the correct size, which is 185R14, then compare the available radial tires by sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. For this Volkswagen, the size question is simple, so product selection becomes the real decision within a single primary fitment.
Appearance matters on a vintage van, but so does the actual wheel setup. A blackwall can keep the look understated, while a narrow whitewall changes the presentation more noticeably. It also helps to compare product weight and any stated load-related details when deciding how the tire suits your planned road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi tires?
185R14 tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi are available in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice without changing the primary tire size, and both treatments are offered within radial constructions intended for 14-inch wheel fitment.
The best choice depends on the look you want the van to carry. Blackwalls tend to preserve a simpler, utility-oriented presentation, while narrow whitewalls add a more styled, restoration-oriented touch. Before deciding on appearance alone, confirm the specific tire also matches your wheel width and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi?
Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein offer 185R14 tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi. Michelin appears in the MXV series, Vredestein in the Sprint Classic series, and Phoenix adds another narrow whitewall option within the same basic radial size category.
Brand choice should be treated as one part of the decision rather than the whole decision. It makes sense to compare each tire's sidewall style, rim-width range, weight, and any stated load details, then choose the one that fits your wheels properly and supports the look you want for the van.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 185R14 size and then narrows the choice by sidewall appearance and overall tire presentation. For a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi, both blackwall and narrow whitewall radials are available, so the visual character can be tailored without moving away from the proper primary size.
Blackwall tires usually suit a more restrained commercial or utility look, while narrow whitewalls create a more dressed appearance. When exact originality matters, the final visual decision should be checked against marque references or period photos, since a correct size alone does not prove a specific sidewall treatment is factory-correct.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size strongly affects how a restored 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi sits, looks, and reads visually from the side. Using the proper 185R14 size helps preserve the vehicle's intended proportions in a way that oversized or undersized alternatives may not.
Fitment also affects practical issues such as wheel compatibility and clearance under real driving conditions. Even on a restoration-focused van, it is worth checking that the wheels remain true to size and width before finalizing a tire choice. Appearance and proper mechanical fit should work together, not compete with each other.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi?
Yes. A 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi may have the correct primary tire size of 185R14, but modifications can still affect whether a specific tire works well on the vehicle. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, or body clearance can all influence practical fitment even within the same size.
That is why the actual van should be checked before settling on a tire. A bus with aftermarket wheels or altered suspension may need closer attention to clearance at full steering lock and under load. Verifying the wheel dimensions first usually prevents the most common fitment surprises.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi on new tires?
Before putting a 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi back on the road, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated, and look over the valve stems as well. It is also smart to check brake, steering, and suspension condition on a collector-era van.
A short local test drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or clearance issues before a longer trip. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and take another look at the tires and wheels. Older vehicles often show setup issues only once they are moving and carrying normal road loads.
How should 185R14 tires on a collector 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi be maintained?
185R14 tires on a collector 1973 Volkswagen Van Kombi should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, cracking, cuts, and sidewall damage. Because many vintage Volkswagens are driven less often than modern vehicles, tire condition over time matters just as much as accumulated mileage.
Storage habits make a difference as well. Keeping the van away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Pressure should be checked before road use, and any tire that shows visible aging or damage deserves closer evaluation before the vehicle returns to service.
